Constitutionalism Human Rights And The Rule Of Law In Iraq

Constitutionalism, Human Rights, and Islam after the Arab Spring offers a comprehensive analysis of the impact that new and draft constitutions and amendments - such as those in Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Egypt, and Tunisia - have had on the transformative processes that drive constitutionalism in Arab countries. This book aims to identify and analyze the key issues facing constitutional law and democratic development in Islamic states, and offers an in-depth examination of the relevance of the transformation processes for the development and future of constitutionalism in Arab countries. Using an encompassing and multi-faceted approach, this book explores underlying trends and currents that have been pivotal to the Arab Spring, while identifying and providing a forward looking view of constitution making in the Arab world.

Distinguished international scholar Chibli Mallat draws from his two-decade long experience with US policy-makers and Iraqi leaders for this breakthrough text. Iraq: Guide to Law and Policy offers timely coverage and incisive analysis of the American-Iraq experience in war and nation-building--examining the successes and failures of the law and policy implemented since the 2003 change of regime in Iraq. An essential tool for understanding the issues and choices required for well-informed policy decisions, Iraq: Guide to Law and Policy features: The creation of the Iraqi constitution--with a set of article-by-article commentaries, a special focus on the resulting electoral laws and the amendment process Up-to-date coverage of all areas of Iraqi policy, ranging from international law, oil and the economy to the constitution, security, and the judiciary. Thoughtful analysis of past mistakes, current choices and opportunities, and tactical and strategic courses of action in Iraq An ideal complement for courses on constitutional, international, or comparative law, Iraq: Guide to Law and Policy offers fascinating insight for anyone interested in the historical and contemporary issues, law, and policy that shape Iraq and the future of US- Iraqi relations.

Constitutionalism in Islamic Countries: Between Upheaval and Continuity examines the question of whether something similar to an "Islamic constitutionalism" has emerged out of the political and constitutional upheaval witnessed in many parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and Central and Southern Asia. In order to identify its defining features and to assess the challenges that Islamic constitutionalism poses to established concepts of constitutionalism, this book offers an integrated analysis of the complex frameworks in Islamic countries, drawing on the methods and insights of comparative constitutional law, Islamic law, international law and legal history. European and North American experiences are used as points of reference against which the peculiar challenges, and the specific answers given to those challenges in the countries surveyed, can be assessed. The book also examines ways in which the key concepts of constitutionalism, including fundamental rights, separation of powers, democracy and rule of law, may be adapted to an Islamic context, thus providing valuable new insights on the prospects for a genuine renaissance of constitutionalism in the Islamic world in the wake of the "Arab spring."

1. Types of Courts

Nations around the world are facing various crises of ineffective government. Basic governmental functions—protecting rights, preventing violence, and promoting material well-being—are compromised, leading to declines in general welfare, in the enjoyment of rights, and even in democracy itself. This innovative collection, featuring analyses by leaders in the fields of constitutional law and politics, highlights the essential role of effective government in sustaining democratic constitutionalism. The book explores “effective government” as a right, principle, duty, and interest, situating questions of governance in debates about negative and positive constitutionalism. In addition to providing new conceptual approaches to the connections between rights and governance, the volume also provides novel insights into government institutions, including courts, legislatures, executives, and administrative bodies, as well as the media and political parties. This is an essential volume for anyone interested in constitutionalism, comparative law, governance, democracy, the rule of law, and rights.